Pearl of a win for Cougars against Tech

ROHNERT PARK -- Kelsey Pearl scored nine of her team-leading 17 points in the first quarter as the Upper Lake Cougars pulled away for a 56-30 victory over Technology High School in North Central League II varsity girls' basketball action on Tuesday night in Rohnert Park.

"Kelsey really led us tonight," Upper Lake coach Mike Smith said. "She got us going and was a solid leader."

Upper Lake (3-8 league, 8-15 overall) led 18-13 after one quarter and kept building on its lead throughout the game.

"We played a solid game," Smith said.

LaShaye Taylor added 11 points in the win and Ashley Lovrin chipped in with eight.

The Cougars host Sonoma Academy on Saturday.

In other girls' action Tuesday:

Willits 58, Middletown 44

At Middletown, needing a win against NCL I leader Willits to get back into the league race, the Middletown Mustangs came up short, falling to the still-undefeated Wolverines (9-0).

"They made the baskets in the fourth quarter and we didn't," Middletown coach Tony Hart said. "We never gave up, but we just didn't hit enough shots."

Middletown (6-3, 13-8) trailed 38-32 entering the fourth quarter.

"They forced us into too many turnovers (29), that's their style of play," Hart said of the Wolverines, who were led by Alicia Mehtlan's 19 points.